Ezra and Aria slept in that morning; school was out and Aria didn't have a new job to go to yet so today there was nothing to do. She stretched and wrapped herself around Ezra who was facing away from her. Just as she got comfy, her cell phone began to ring.
"Hello?" She answered, still groggy from sleep.
"Aria. It's mom."
"Oh mom. Hey."
"Are you ok? You sound sick." Ella asked, concerned,
"No mom, I'm ok," Aria yawned. "Just had a late night, we went out for Hanna's birthday yesterday. How are you? How's Mike? And dad," she added, reluctantly.
"We're all good, we're fine. You and Ezra ok?"
"Yeah mom, were great thanks."
"That's good. I'm calling to invite you and Ezra to dinner tonight," Ella began. "I think dad wants to apologise to you and we all miss you."
"Er, ok, thanks," Aria said, slightly taken aback. She hadn't spoken to her dad since her wedding – or lack of wedding – and was shocked he was ready to cave in and apologise so soon. "What time should we come?"
"Come for 7pm. It'll be good to see you Aria."
"And you mom. I'll see you later ok?" Aria rung off and sighed. She really hoped her dad wouldn't start an argument or cause a row tonight, she hoped he really did want to apologise to her. Ezra stirred and wrapped an arm around Aria, pulling her in towards his warm body.
"Who was that baby?" He murmured. "What time is it?"
"It's just gone 11, and it was my mom. She's invited us for dinner tonight."
"To dinner?" He asked, just as surprised as Aria was. "With Byron too?"
"Yup. Apparently he wants to apologise and start again, although I wouldn't hold my breath!"
"You never know, he might have calmed down by now it has been a week!"
"Mmm hopefully. But, that's not for a few hours yet so I an think of a few ways to pass some time!"
Their afternoon was spent making love and grocery shopping, a perfect day as far as Aria was concerned. That was what she loved so much about Ezra; he didn't feel the need for huge elaborate plans all the time, just little simple things which made Aria happy. Of course, she had appreciated every fancy restaurant and expensive gift Daniel had given her, but what mattered most to her was spending time with the person she loved. With Ezra, it was always different. He shared her love of old black and white movies, eating Chinese takeaway straight from the box and taking for hours usually about useless rubbish. He was the only person in the world she could truly be herself with and he loved her exactly for who she was. She smiled at the thought and while Ezra was dressing for dinner she went up behind him and wrapped him up in a tight hug.
"I love you so much," she said, and she truly meant it.
"I love you too baby," he replied, turning round and embracing her in a tight hug. "What's up?"
"Nothing. I just wanted to remind you how much I love you!"
"You are so cute you know that?" He kissed the tip of her nose. "Blue shirt or grey shirt?"
"Blue," she replied immediately. "It brings our your eyes."
"Blue it is!" He wriggled into the baby blue coloured shirt and Aria buttoned him up, truly grateful for the small, simple moment.
"Thank you angel," he said. "You still feeling nervous about tonight?"
"A little," Aria replied truthfully. "I really don't want another argument! I know they are still gonna be pissed at me, especially my dad, but it's happened and I'm with you and nothing they say will change that."
"I don't doubt that for a second." Ezra said gently, stroking her face. Ezra had always been very touchy feely and affectionate and especially with Aria; he was a hopeless romantic, he always had been and his friends used to tease him about it.
"Let's go then," Aria said wanting to just get there. She smoothed down her dress, a white strapless maxi dress and slipped into her gold sandals, perfect for the hot June day.
Pulling into the Montogmery's front drive, Aria felt the nerves play in her stomach. She felt silly for feeling nervous going to see her parents, but she knew what her dad was like and didn't have the energy anymore to keep repeating herself over and over. Why couldn't people just accept her decision? She loved Ezra with all her heart and he felt the same, she hadn't committed a crime.
"Come on baby let's get in there," Ezra said, opening the door for her. Luckily, Mike opened the door when she knocked.
"Hey Mike," Aria smiled, hugging her little brother, who was at least a foot taller than her.
"Hey Aria, hi Mr er, Ezra?" Mike stumbled across his words, unsure of what to call Ezra.
"Mike, it's Ezra please!" He laughed, shaking him hand.
"Is dad gonna lay into me again?" Aria asked her brother quietly.
"Nah, he'd calmed down." Mike replied. "Besides, you know he liked Ezra deep down, I think he was just a bit bummed about the wedding."
"See, it's gonna be ok!" Ezra reassured her, placing a hand on the small of her back and gently rubbing it. The couple walked through to the kitchen where Ella was dishing up the food; she'd made chicken and beef with an assortment of salads and dips with tacos and tortillas, a firm favourite of Aria's. Byron was there too, gathering plates and cutlery.
"Hi Mom, Dad," Aria said cautiously. The last time she was here world war three was about to break out, she did not want a repeat of that!
"Hello Aria," Byron spoke first. "It's good to see you." And to Aria's surprise he hugged her, his way of showing that things were ok.
"Ezra. Hello."
"Hi Byron," Ezra replied, extending his hand to shake Aria's fathers. Byron shook it.
"It's good to see you Ezra, how have you been?"
"Never better in all honesty," he said, and looked at Aria and smiled. Mike made a fake sick noise and Ella laughed.
"Come on guys, to the table. This food isn't going to eat itself!"
"This is really good," Ezra said to Ella, a mouth half full with chicken taco. So far, it had just been small talk but Aria couldn't stand the tension much longer.
"Look, did you guys invite us here to give us the third degree or scrutinize us like everyone else has been?" Her question was directed at her father in particular.
"No Aria, we didn't." He replied, sighing. "I know I was really mad at you the other week, I was fuming. But after the initial anger had worn off I realized I owe you an apology. I love you dearly, you are my only daughter and it was wrong of me to get so irate. I was angry, yes of course I was…"
"I didn't expect you not to be dad, I get you were mad."
"Yes, of course! All I could think about was how humiliated that poor man must have felt, all the money down the drain, the embarrassment. But then I looked at the bigger picture and all a father wants is a smile on his little girls face. And if Ezra is the man to do that, you have my blessing."
"Thank you daddy," Aria said quietly with a smile. "I know I hurt Daniel and I feel awful about it, but I've been in love with Ezra pretty much from the day we met. I know you and mom didn't always approve of us being together, but not seeing him for six years and still being in love with him says something right?"
"Aria, you don't need to justify anything to me," Byron interrupted. "Ezra is a decent man, yes it took me a while to see that but he makes you happy, he puts a smile on your face and that's good enough for me."
"But just know Ezra, you hurt my daughter I'll come after you with the knife I used to cut this chicken up with!" Ella joked and everyone laughed.
"All jokes aside though," Ezra began. "I've been in love with your daughter for 8 years now. Bumping back into her when she returned confirmed it for me and I'd rather die than hurt her. She's all I've got and I love her."
"Ok love birds, can we quit the mushy shit before I throw up in my mouth!" Mike laughed. Aria chucked a piece of grilled pepper at him.
"Ar!" Ella shouted, but laughed at the same time.
Aria was glowing inside. This was all she wanted, her family's blessing to be with the man she loved, and she had got it now. Her father had even offered her a job at Hollis, teaching creative writing, something Aria had a real passion for. She would start in three weeks when the summer schools began and for the first time in so long she was happy. Next week her and Ezra would be in New York City together and they could really start their lives again, together.
Glad that Aria is on good terms with her family again? Let me know your thoughts on this story! I prefer Recurring Memories tbh, i'm a sucker for romance and reunions lol! xoxo
